The Doctrines of *Grace
1.
Total Depravity
The Scriptures clearly teach that the
effects of sin have extended to all parts of our being, rendering us incapable of
spiritual understanding and love towards God. Despite the heading of this first article,
it does not indicate that all people are as wicked as they could possibly be in all areas
of belief and practice. However, sin has so fully and deeply affected our lives that,
spiritually speaking, we are in a totally hopeless condition, unable to do anything to get
ourselves out of this fallen state.
Our natural spiritual incapacity prevents us from being able to
respond by our own strength to the call of the gospel message, yet this does not remove
our guilt. We choose to follow the natural inclinations of our depraved hearts because
when left to ourselves that is all we want to do.
Scripture references: Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 1:30; John 15:25; Luke
19:14; John 5:40; Isaiah 5:20; Titus 1:15; Deuteronomy 32:18; Hebrews 2:1; John 12:39;
John 6:44+65; John 3:18.
Links on Total Depravity:
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Impotence/impotence.htm
http://www.graciouscall.org/books/luther/bondage/toc.html
http://www.the-highway.com/depravity_Boettner.html
http://www.gracegems.org/WINSLOW/The%20Soul%20Before%20Conversion.htm
http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/will/home.html
http://home.flash.net/~jaybanks/books/reformed/bchapt10.htm
http://www.bible.org/docs/history/calvin/institut/ci200006.htm
http://www.reformed.org/books/pink/saving_faith/saving_faith_3_06.html
- 2.
Unconditional Election
God has shown us in his Word that from
eternity past he has elected some sinners to be saved from the condemnation that is justly
deserved by all, purely on account of his gracious mercy and love, not because of any
foreseen merits in those sinners. Because of the fact of total depravity, salvation must
originate with God, and we read in the Bible that it is God's sovereign will alone that
has determined the recipients of that salvation.
This doctrine does not render God unjust, for all are guilty and
all deserve to suffer God's judgement. Rather, it emphasises the grace of God by the fact
that he has chosen some for salvation.
Scripture references: Psalm 65:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4,5,9,11;
Romans 11:5; Romans 9:15,23; Psalm 103:11; 1 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Jonah 2:9.
Links on Unconditional Election:
http://www.freegrace.net/library/Pink/sovereignty/pink_sov_index.html
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Election/election.htm
http://www.the-highway.com/election_Boettner.html
http://www.txdirect.net/%7Etgarner/spur041.htm
http://www.custance.org/Library/SOG/Index.html
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0241.htm
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/etc/printer-friendly.asp?ID=424
http://homepage.mac.com/shanerosenthal/reformationink/bbwelection.htm
- 3.
Particular Redemption (or
Limited Atonement)
Put simply, Christ died only to save
the elect, securing with absolute certainty their salvation. This is not to teach that
there is anything lacking in the power of God, perhaps suggesting that he is not able to
save all men. Rather, God's Word indicates that it was the Father's intention that his Son
was to suffer and die only for his chosen people, atoning for their sins alone. Christ's
atonement was limited only in extent, not in power, according to the sovereign will of
God.
In the Bible we read that the Lord's servant (Jesus) would see the
results of his work (his atoning sacrifice) and "be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11).
But also, Jesus stated plainly that there are many who are heading for eternal destruction
(Matthew 7:13). We can only reconcile these two statements if we understand that Christ
died only for a limited number of people - for God's elect.
Scripture references: Acts 20:28; John 3:14+15; Galatians 1:4+5; Revelation 13:8; John
6:38+39; John 17:9,10+24; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:21; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10;
Romans 8:33+34; Luke 1:68; Revelation 5:9; Isaiah 53:11.
Links on
Limited Atonement:
http://www.mbrem.com/calvinism/Death_Of_Death/owen.htm
http://www.dougledbetter.org/theology/limited_atonement.html
http://homepage.mac.com/shanerosenthal/reformationink/chforwhom.htm
http://www.mbrem.com/calvinism/bchap12.htm
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/etc/printer-friendly.asp?ID=72
http://www.the-highway.com/particular_Kuiper.html
- 4.
Irresistible Grace
When the gospel is preached, an
invitation is issued by the Lord to all people to come to him for salvation. However, as
the first article clearly states, the natural state of all people renders them incapable
of responding to this invitation, except to reject it. So when God calls an elect sinner
to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, he does so by sending his Holy Spirit to work a
great change in that sinner's heart, enabling them to see their sin and their need of a
saviour and leading them to put their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The Lord, by
his Spirit, irresistably draws his elect to himself, raising them to spiritual life and
making them willing to trust in Jesus.
Scripture references: Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37; Matthew 23:37; John 5:40; Ephesians
1:12,19; Ezekiel 11:19+20; Psalm 110:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Links on
Irresistible Grace:
http://www.the-highway.com/Goodwin_hs1.html
http://home.flash.net/~jaybanks/books/reformed/efficiou.htm
http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/works2/htm/xi.iv.htm#xi.iv
http://www.dougledbetter.org/theology/irresistable_grace.html
http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/Doctrinal_Divinity/Book_6/book6_12.htm
http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/Doctrinal_Divinity/Book_6/book6_11.htm
http://www.apuritansmind.com/FrancisTurretin/francisturretineffectualcalling.htm
http://custance.org/Library/SOG/Part_II/Chapter9.html
- 5.
Perseverance of the Saints
Once God has saved elect sinners, he
continues to keep and preserve them by his power and grace and will never let them go.
Thus, they persevere to the end and can never be lost. If God did not do this, we would
inevitably turn back again to the world, because of the sin that is around us and within
us. Thus God enables his children to continue in faith and obedience throughout their
earthly lives, then to pass into God's presence forever. This
doctrine is not to be taken as a license to go on sinning, as if the believer is free to
act in any way he chooses now that he is eternally secure in Christ Jesus. The true
believer will show signs of a growing desire for holiness and an increasing loathing of
sin. The one who attempts to use the grace of God as an excuse for sinful living is in all
probability not a true believer, for where there is spiritual life, the fruit of the
Spirit will become evident.
Scripture references: 1 Peter 1:5; James 4:6; Philippians 1:6+19; John 6:39; John
10:28+29; Romans 8:38+39; Romans 8:8; Galatians 5:13-26.
*Grace: Grace speaks of Gods loving
action towards His people in particular. Grace is the generous overflowing of love
of God the Father to His son Jesus Christ. In this, Gods people must be humbled in that
not everyone has been "graced" with these beautiful doctrines. We must endeavor
in prayer, patiently, and in an attitude of love, that perhaps God may teach the
world, by His grace, about this delicate flower that we so embracingly call
"Calvinism (T.U.L.I.P)".
Links on
Perseverance:
http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/works2/htm/xi.vii.htm#xi.vii
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/etc/printer-friendly.asp?ID=73
http://www.apuritansmind.com/TULIP/PerseveranceOfTheSaints.htm
http://www.apuritansmind.com/TULIP/McMahonPerseveranceEncouragement.htm
http://www.dougledbetter.org/theology/perseverance_saints.html
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/92/030192.html
http://www.prca.org/fivepoints/chapter5.html
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